April 26, 2010

Wonderful Spring Beginnings

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
My son captured this picture for me at the Chaplin Nature Center. This beautiful piece of earth is located just a few miles from town.

House Finch Nest
I was so pleased and excited when I took the Boston Fern down to water it and found this Finch nest with a little speckled egg in it. The nest is about 3" across and the egg a little over 1/2" long.

This is the fern I was talking about. It sat out the Winter inside and was looking like a pretty sorry plant.

Another view of the nest to give perspective.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird
This little guy just arrived! He's still sort of shy.
Here is a link to post your Hummer's arrival:
"Frogs and snails and puppy dog tails"
A snail,
in the hand,
of a grandson.


"Roses are Red, Violets are Blue"


Flora & fauna at the Chaplin Nature Center.

April 13, 2010

House Finches

House Finches arrived in the middle of March.
This is the female.



Male House Finch




I'm not sure where the House Finches Winter...probably in the SW part of the state. The KS field guide says they are a permanent resident, but we only see them in the Spring & Summer. They like to nest in hanging plants so I put my Boston Fern out hoping to get a nesting family. One year we had a Finch family that successfully raised 2 chicks :-)